NFHS Cases
1.1.2 SITUATION A: During the pregame conference, head coaches of Team A and Team B
hand in their lineup cards to the umpire-in-chief. Team A's starting players as well as all eligible
substitutes are listed on the lineup card properly, but Team B's lineup card lists only starting
players. During the first inning, Team B wishes to pinch hit with a substitute player who is not
listed on the lineup card. - ANSRULING: The name and the shirt number of each eligible
substitute shall be listed. The plate umpire accepts Team B's lineup card but encourages the
head coach to list the eligible substitutes. Later, if Team B wishes to substitute a player who was
not listed on the lineup card, it may do so without penalty.
1.1.2 SITUATION B: Team A's JV team has returned to join the varsity team during the sixth
inning of the varsity game. A member of Team A's JV team attempts to enter the game as a
pinch runner, but Team B's coach notices that Team A's JV player was not listed on the starting
lineup card and argues he should not be allowed to enter the game. - ANSRULING: There is no
penalty if the names are not listed on the lineup card. However, it is suggested that all players
who might possibly enter the game be listed with their proper names and shirt numbers.
1.1.2 SITUATION C: Team A's head coach in the third inning wants to substitute a player who is
not on the original lineup card. - ANSRULING: There is no penalty if a coach wants to substitute
a player whose name was not listed as a substitute on the lineup card. However, to help
improve the pace of the game, all known substitutes, with their name and shirt number, shall be
listed on the lineup card submitted at the pregame conference.
1.1.3 SITUATION: F4, Brown, listed in the batting order as wearing uniform No. 4, is wearing
No. 21. After reaching base in the third inning, defensive coach appeals to the umpire that
Brown is batting out of order. - ANSRULING: While Brown is in technical violation of the rule that
requires that player's name, shirt number and position be on the lineup card, there is no penalty,
since the batting-out-of-order rule requires only that the name be in the proper order. If the
number was correct but the player batting was not Brown, the batting-out-of-order penalty would
be imposed. Listing of both numbers and positions provides easier recordkeeping for
scorekeepers and umpires.
1.1.4 SITUATION: With R1 on first, (a) F9 cuts in behind R1 for a throw from F1, who is in
contact with the pitcher's plate, and receives a pickoff throw in foul territory; or (b) F3 has one
foot in foul territory when he receives a pickoff throw; or (c) F3, in contact with the base, has one
foot in foul territory as the throw is received. - ANSRULING: Legal in (a), (b) and (c). In (a), since
F1 had not committed himself to pitch to the batter, the play is legal. In (a), (b), and (c) F3 is
permitted to have a foot in foul territory, even at the time of the pitch. COMMENT: Rule 1-1-4
requires all defensive players except the catcher to be in fair territory at the time of the pitch. By
definition and interpretation, at least one foot must be in fair territory to comply with this rule.
,1.2.2 SITUATION A: Team A has constructed a new baseball field that has sports/field turf for
the playing surface. The lines of the new field are "marked" in the school's official colors: black
and red. - ANSRULING: This is legal since these lines are permanent.
1.2.2 SITUATION B: Team A has marked its foul lines with (a) maroon colored chalk, (b) a
fire-hose painted maroon, or (c) wood 2 x 4s painted maroon. - ANSRULING: Illegal in (a); legal
in (b) and (c) because these markings would be considered permanent in nature. COMMENT:
Even though illegal in (a), the game will be played as scheduled. However, Team A should be
informed that this is not a legal manner in which the lines shall be marked and the state
association needs to be notified of this violation.
1.2.4 SITUATION A: Team A has small dugouts at its baseball field. In an effort to accommodate
the teams, Team A uses chalk to draw temporary lines which extend parallel with the foul line
and toward the outfield. - ANSRULING: This is legal.
1.2.4 SITUATION B: Team A increases the size of the dugouts at its field by installing
permanent railings or walls in front of each dugout. The new structures are closer to the foul
lines and home plate. - ANSRULING: This is legal. The rule does not pertain to permanent
structures.
1.2.4 SITUATION C: Team A extends its dugout parallel to the foul line and toward the outfield
but does not do the same for the visitor's dugout. - ANSRULING: This is illegal. The expansion
of the dugout must be equally applied. If Team A is unable to extend the visitor's dugout, it
cannot extend its own.
1.2.4 SITUATION D: In constructing new dugouts, the home team extends both facilities equal
distance down both foul lines toward the outfield. - ANSRULING: This is appropriate.
1.2.7 SITUATION: The home team's coach purchases a commercially manufactured pitcher's
mound pad for his field. The visiting team's coach protests the game because his pitchers are
not accustomed to pitching on the artificial surface. - ANSRULING: The mound is legal if it
meets the specifications under Rule 1-2-7. The protest would be invalid.
1.2.8 SITUATION A: During the game, a photographer positions himself in foul territory beyond
first base to take pictures. The umpire tells him he must return to dead-ball territory. The
photographer says that he would prefer that the umpire designate an area in live-ball territory for
him to shoot. - ANSRULING: If an area has not been established for the media prior to the
game, then the media shall not be permitted on the field in live-ball area. A dead-ball area shall
not be established once the game begins. The responsibility for a media dead-ball area is the
home team's or game management. COMMENT: If, in the judgment of the umpire, the
designated media area is not safely located or could be involved in play too much, the umpire
has the authority to prohibit the use of the designated media area.
,1.2.8 SITUATION B: Designated media areas are determined and properly chalked before the
game. During the game (a) a thrown or batted ball touches or lands in an occupied designated
media area, (b) a thrown ball passes through the designated media area in flight, (c) a fielder
outside the designated media area reaches over the plane of the designated media area to
catch an overthrow or foul fly ball. - ANSRULING: In (a) the ball is dead immediately. A
designated media area is a dead-ball area, even though it may not be occupied. Therefore, it is
recommended that designated media areas be located in an area least likely to affect play. In
(b), the ball remains live. In (c), a fielder may reach into the designated media area or "break the
plane" of the designated media area to field a ball, provided the ball has not touched the
designated media area or anything inside the designated media area.
1.2.9 SITUATION A: With R1 on first base, B2 hits a fair ball to F8. B2, in rounding a double first
base, (a) touches the colored part and continues to second, (b) touches the white part of the
base and continues to second, (c) cannot make it to second safely and returns to first touching
the colored part of the base. - ANSRULING: Legal in (a) and (b). In (c), the batter is out if
tagged by defense before gaining the white part of the bag. The colored base should be used
on the initial contact with the base. COMMENT: In (b), B2 is allowed to touch the white side of
the base as long as the runner does not interfere with the fielder at first base.
1.2.9 SITUATION B: During the pregame conference the coach of the home team informs the
umpire that a double first base is going to be used. The coach of the opposing team objects. -
ANSRULING: A double first base is legal only by state association adoption. If the state
association has adopted the double first base, it may be used.
1.2.12 SITUATION: Prior to the game, coach of Team B notices that (a) the pitching mound is
not regulation; or (b) there is an obstruction on fair ground 250 feet from home plate; or (c) all
base bags and/or home plate are nonregulation. At the end of the second inning with Team A
leading 4-0, he informs the umpire that he is protesting the game because of those deficiencies.
- ANSRULING: The umpire informs the coach that a protest for such reasons will not be
considered once the game has started. COMMENT: Protests are allowed only when those state
associations or allied groups have adopted that provision. Protests may no longer be honored
because the game was played on a nonregulation facility. When a game is started on a
nonregulation facility, the coaches have either by inference or by mutual agreement consented
to play the game even though the field does not meet all rule specifications. There are many
high school fields that are deficient in some part of the field requirements, but when coaches
agree to play on such a field or the game is started, the nonregulation facility cannot be
protested. (4-5-1, 10-2-3i)
1.3.1 SITUATION: (a) The home team provides the umpire-in-chief with three new baseballs or
(b) game management at a tournament or a playoff site provides the umpire-in-chief with three
new baseballs. - ANSRULING: Legal in both (a) and (b). In fact, some leagues may have a rule
that the visiting team will supply one new baseball and the home team will supply two. That
would be legal, too, since the intent of the rule is to have enough baseballs to keep the game
from being delayed when a ball is hit out of play.
, 1.3.2 SITUATION A: In the third inning, the batter comes to the plate with (a) a wood bat that
has no certification mark; (b) a non-wood bat with a visible certification mark. - ANSRULING:
The wood bat, provided it is no thicker in diameter than 2 3/4 inches or longer than 36 inches in
length, is legal and is not required to be BBCOR-certified. All non-wood bats shall meet the
BBCOR standard and shall be labeled with a completely visible silkscreen or permanent
certification mark. Accordingly, the bat in (b) is legal if the BBCOR certification is completely
visible.
1.3.2 SITUATION B: B1 appears at bat with a bat that is (a) wood, (b) aluminum, (c) bamboo,
(d) composite, (e) fiberglass or (f) titanium. All have the BBCOR certification mark. -
ANSRULING: Not needed in (a). Legal in (b) - (f).
1.3.2 SITUATION C: In the top half of the fifth inning, a player enters the batter's box with a bat
that has manufactured holes or ridges in the taper of the bat. - ANSRULING: Provided the bat
meets all other bat requirements, it is a legal bat. Only the barrel is required to be round,
cylindrically symmetric and smooth.
1.3.2 SITUATION D: During the game, B1 enters the batter's box with a wood composite bat
without the BBCOR certification mark, or a bat made of a grass, such as bamboo. The
umpire-in-chief questions the coach. It is the coach's opinion that since the bats are partially
made of wood, the bats are not subject o the BCOR standard and do not require the BBCOR
certification mark. - ANSRULING: The coach is incorrect. A bat is either solid wood or
non-wood. Any bat that is not solid wood is considered a non-wood bat and is subject to the
BBCOR requirements. The bat is illegal B1 is out and the penalties of 4-1-3b are applied to the
head coach.
1.3.2 SITUATION E: The batter enters the box with a non-wood bat (a) that has the BESR
certification mark and appeared on the 2011 approved bat list, but does not have a BBCOR
certification mark, or (b) that has a BBCOR certification mark. - ANSRULING: In (a), the bat is
illegal and the penalty for an illegal bat shall apply, includeing the provisionsof 4-1-3b applied to
the head coach; in (b) the bat is legal for play.
1.3.2 SITUATION F: A batter enters the box with a non-wood bat that has a post-production
sticker labeling it as BBCOR certified. - ANSRULING: The bat is illegal since BBCOR
post-production labels, stickers or decals are not allowed. The batter is out and the penalties of
4-1-3b applied to the head coach.
1.3.2 SITUATION G: A batter enters batting box with an illegal bat in the first inning. The umpire
detects the illegal bat. In the third inning, another player for the same team enters the box with
an illegal bat and it is detected. In the fifth inning, a third player from the same team enters the
box with an illegal bat and it is detected. - ANSRULING: For the offense in the first inning, the
batter is out (7-4-1a) and the head coach is restricted to the dugout. For the offense in the third
1.1.2 SITUATION A: During the pregame conference, head coaches of Team A and Team B
hand in their lineup cards to the umpire-in-chief. Team A's starting players as well as all eligible
substitutes are listed on the lineup card properly, but Team B's lineup card lists only starting
players. During the first inning, Team B wishes to pinch hit with a substitute player who is not
listed on the lineup card. - ANSRULING: The name and the shirt number of each eligible
substitute shall be listed. The plate umpire accepts Team B's lineup card but encourages the
head coach to list the eligible substitutes. Later, if Team B wishes to substitute a player who was
not listed on the lineup card, it may do so without penalty.
1.1.2 SITUATION B: Team A's JV team has returned to join the varsity team during the sixth
inning of the varsity game. A member of Team A's JV team attempts to enter the game as a
pinch runner, but Team B's coach notices that Team A's JV player was not listed on the starting
lineup card and argues he should not be allowed to enter the game. - ANSRULING: There is no
penalty if the names are not listed on the lineup card. However, it is suggested that all players
who might possibly enter the game be listed with their proper names and shirt numbers.
1.1.2 SITUATION C: Team A's head coach in the third inning wants to substitute a player who is
not on the original lineup card. - ANSRULING: There is no penalty if a coach wants to substitute
a player whose name was not listed as a substitute on the lineup card. However, to help
improve the pace of the game, all known substitutes, with their name and shirt number, shall be
listed on the lineup card submitted at the pregame conference.
1.1.3 SITUATION: F4, Brown, listed in the batting order as wearing uniform No. 4, is wearing
No. 21. After reaching base in the third inning, defensive coach appeals to the umpire that
Brown is batting out of order. - ANSRULING: While Brown is in technical violation of the rule that
requires that player's name, shirt number and position be on the lineup card, there is no penalty,
since the batting-out-of-order rule requires only that the name be in the proper order. If the
number was correct but the player batting was not Brown, the batting-out-of-order penalty would
be imposed. Listing of both numbers and positions provides easier recordkeeping for
scorekeepers and umpires.
1.1.4 SITUATION: With R1 on first, (a) F9 cuts in behind R1 for a throw from F1, who is in
contact with the pitcher's plate, and receives a pickoff throw in foul territory; or (b) F3 has one
foot in foul territory when he receives a pickoff throw; or (c) F3, in contact with the base, has one
foot in foul territory as the throw is received. - ANSRULING: Legal in (a), (b) and (c). In (a), since
F1 had not committed himself to pitch to the batter, the play is legal. In (a), (b), and (c) F3 is
permitted to have a foot in foul territory, even at the time of the pitch. COMMENT: Rule 1-1-4
requires all defensive players except the catcher to be in fair territory at the time of the pitch. By
definition and interpretation, at least one foot must be in fair territory to comply with this rule.
,1.2.2 SITUATION A: Team A has constructed a new baseball field that has sports/field turf for
the playing surface. The lines of the new field are "marked" in the school's official colors: black
and red. - ANSRULING: This is legal since these lines are permanent.
1.2.2 SITUATION B: Team A has marked its foul lines with (a) maroon colored chalk, (b) a
fire-hose painted maroon, or (c) wood 2 x 4s painted maroon. - ANSRULING: Illegal in (a); legal
in (b) and (c) because these markings would be considered permanent in nature. COMMENT:
Even though illegal in (a), the game will be played as scheduled. However, Team A should be
informed that this is not a legal manner in which the lines shall be marked and the state
association needs to be notified of this violation.
1.2.4 SITUATION A: Team A has small dugouts at its baseball field. In an effort to accommodate
the teams, Team A uses chalk to draw temporary lines which extend parallel with the foul line
and toward the outfield. - ANSRULING: This is legal.
1.2.4 SITUATION B: Team A increases the size of the dugouts at its field by installing
permanent railings or walls in front of each dugout. The new structures are closer to the foul
lines and home plate. - ANSRULING: This is legal. The rule does not pertain to permanent
structures.
1.2.4 SITUATION C: Team A extends its dugout parallel to the foul line and toward the outfield
but does not do the same for the visitor's dugout. - ANSRULING: This is illegal. The expansion
of the dugout must be equally applied. If Team A is unable to extend the visitor's dugout, it
cannot extend its own.
1.2.4 SITUATION D: In constructing new dugouts, the home team extends both facilities equal
distance down both foul lines toward the outfield. - ANSRULING: This is appropriate.
1.2.7 SITUATION: The home team's coach purchases a commercially manufactured pitcher's
mound pad for his field. The visiting team's coach protests the game because his pitchers are
not accustomed to pitching on the artificial surface. - ANSRULING: The mound is legal if it
meets the specifications under Rule 1-2-7. The protest would be invalid.
1.2.8 SITUATION A: During the game, a photographer positions himself in foul territory beyond
first base to take pictures. The umpire tells him he must return to dead-ball territory. The
photographer says that he would prefer that the umpire designate an area in live-ball territory for
him to shoot. - ANSRULING: If an area has not been established for the media prior to the
game, then the media shall not be permitted on the field in live-ball area. A dead-ball area shall
not be established once the game begins. The responsibility for a media dead-ball area is the
home team's or game management. COMMENT: If, in the judgment of the umpire, the
designated media area is not safely located or could be involved in play too much, the umpire
has the authority to prohibit the use of the designated media area.
,1.2.8 SITUATION B: Designated media areas are determined and properly chalked before the
game. During the game (a) a thrown or batted ball touches or lands in an occupied designated
media area, (b) a thrown ball passes through the designated media area in flight, (c) a fielder
outside the designated media area reaches over the plane of the designated media area to
catch an overthrow or foul fly ball. - ANSRULING: In (a) the ball is dead immediately. A
designated media area is a dead-ball area, even though it may not be occupied. Therefore, it is
recommended that designated media areas be located in an area least likely to affect play. In
(b), the ball remains live. In (c), a fielder may reach into the designated media area or "break the
plane" of the designated media area to field a ball, provided the ball has not touched the
designated media area or anything inside the designated media area.
1.2.9 SITUATION A: With R1 on first base, B2 hits a fair ball to F8. B2, in rounding a double first
base, (a) touches the colored part and continues to second, (b) touches the white part of the
base and continues to second, (c) cannot make it to second safely and returns to first touching
the colored part of the base. - ANSRULING: Legal in (a) and (b). In (c), the batter is out if
tagged by defense before gaining the white part of the bag. The colored base should be used
on the initial contact with the base. COMMENT: In (b), B2 is allowed to touch the white side of
the base as long as the runner does not interfere with the fielder at first base.
1.2.9 SITUATION B: During the pregame conference the coach of the home team informs the
umpire that a double first base is going to be used. The coach of the opposing team objects. -
ANSRULING: A double first base is legal only by state association adoption. If the state
association has adopted the double first base, it may be used.
1.2.12 SITUATION: Prior to the game, coach of Team B notices that (a) the pitching mound is
not regulation; or (b) there is an obstruction on fair ground 250 feet from home plate; or (c) all
base bags and/or home plate are nonregulation. At the end of the second inning with Team A
leading 4-0, he informs the umpire that he is protesting the game because of those deficiencies.
- ANSRULING: The umpire informs the coach that a protest for such reasons will not be
considered once the game has started. COMMENT: Protests are allowed only when those state
associations or allied groups have adopted that provision. Protests may no longer be honored
because the game was played on a nonregulation facility. When a game is started on a
nonregulation facility, the coaches have either by inference or by mutual agreement consented
to play the game even though the field does not meet all rule specifications. There are many
high school fields that are deficient in some part of the field requirements, but when coaches
agree to play on such a field or the game is started, the nonregulation facility cannot be
protested. (4-5-1, 10-2-3i)
1.3.1 SITUATION: (a) The home team provides the umpire-in-chief with three new baseballs or
(b) game management at a tournament or a playoff site provides the umpire-in-chief with three
new baseballs. - ANSRULING: Legal in both (a) and (b). In fact, some leagues may have a rule
that the visiting team will supply one new baseball and the home team will supply two. That
would be legal, too, since the intent of the rule is to have enough baseballs to keep the game
from being delayed when a ball is hit out of play.
, 1.3.2 SITUATION A: In the third inning, the batter comes to the plate with (a) a wood bat that
has no certification mark; (b) a non-wood bat with a visible certification mark. - ANSRULING:
The wood bat, provided it is no thicker in diameter than 2 3/4 inches or longer than 36 inches in
length, is legal and is not required to be BBCOR-certified. All non-wood bats shall meet the
BBCOR standard and shall be labeled with a completely visible silkscreen or permanent
certification mark. Accordingly, the bat in (b) is legal if the BBCOR certification is completely
visible.
1.3.2 SITUATION B: B1 appears at bat with a bat that is (a) wood, (b) aluminum, (c) bamboo,
(d) composite, (e) fiberglass or (f) titanium. All have the BBCOR certification mark. -
ANSRULING: Not needed in (a). Legal in (b) - (f).
1.3.2 SITUATION C: In the top half of the fifth inning, a player enters the batter's box with a bat
that has manufactured holes or ridges in the taper of the bat. - ANSRULING: Provided the bat
meets all other bat requirements, it is a legal bat. Only the barrel is required to be round,
cylindrically symmetric and smooth.
1.3.2 SITUATION D: During the game, B1 enters the batter's box with a wood composite bat
without the BBCOR certification mark, or a bat made of a grass, such as bamboo. The
umpire-in-chief questions the coach. It is the coach's opinion that since the bats are partially
made of wood, the bats are not subject o the BCOR standard and do not require the BBCOR
certification mark. - ANSRULING: The coach is incorrect. A bat is either solid wood or
non-wood. Any bat that is not solid wood is considered a non-wood bat and is subject to the
BBCOR requirements. The bat is illegal B1 is out and the penalties of 4-1-3b are applied to the
head coach.
1.3.2 SITUATION E: The batter enters the box with a non-wood bat (a) that has the BESR
certification mark and appeared on the 2011 approved bat list, but does not have a BBCOR
certification mark, or (b) that has a BBCOR certification mark. - ANSRULING: In (a), the bat is
illegal and the penalty for an illegal bat shall apply, includeing the provisionsof 4-1-3b applied to
the head coach; in (b) the bat is legal for play.
1.3.2 SITUATION F: A batter enters the box with a non-wood bat that has a post-production
sticker labeling it as BBCOR certified. - ANSRULING: The bat is illegal since BBCOR
post-production labels, stickers or decals are not allowed. The batter is out and the penalties of
4-1-3b applied to the head coach.
1.3.2 SITUATION G: A batter enters batting box with an illegal bat in the first inning. The umpire
detects the illegal bat. In the third inning, another player for the same team enters the box with
an illegal bat and it is detected. In the fifth inning, a third player from the same team enters the
box with an illegal bat and it is detected. - ANSRULING: For the offense in the first inning, the
batter is out (7-4-1a) and the head coach is restricted to the dugout. For the offense in the third
